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SEMI-CENTENNIAL SERMON, 



BX 8495 
.S42 R3 
1883 
Copy 1 

.^reached June 17^ 1883^ at Roberts Chapel 



By the Rev. B. F. Sedwick, 

Of the Kentucky Conference. 



Nashville, Tenn.: 
Southern Methodlst Publishing House. 
1883. 



SEMI-CENTENNIAL SERMON, 



Preached June 17, 1883, at Roberts Chapel. 



301883 , 



By the Eev. B. F. Sedwick, 

Of the Kentucky Conference. 



Nashville, Tenn.: 
Southern Methodist Publishing House. 
1883. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, 

BY B. F. SEDWICK, 
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



J 



4? 




SEMI-CENTENNIAL SERMON. 



^' But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come 
upon you ; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and 
in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the 
earth.'' Acts i. 8. 

"And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 
Amen." Matt, xxviii. 20. 

^TTHEN" the twelve disciples were sent out to 
V V preach, their commission was limited — do not 
go in the way of the Gentiles, or city of the Samari- 
tans, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; 
but now their commission is enlarged — " Go into all the 
worldj and preach the gospel to every creature,^' The 
disciples were to be made instruments in the estab- 
lishment of the kingdom of Christ, but this must 
be by the energy of the Holy Ghost sent down upon 
them. The soul of man, which was formerly the 
habitation of God, is now in a state of ruin. The 
ruins of this soul must be repaired. Jesus Christ 
is the only foundation on which this house can be 
rebuilt. 

Dr. Summers says: ^'Theology is a progressive 
science, so far as the science of interpretation, crit- 
ical explanation, and the like, are concerned, but as 
to essential doctrines there are no discoveries to be 
made, either in or out of the Scriptures." Not- 
w^ithstanding the disciples heard the words of life 
from the lips of the Master, saw his mighty works, 
and saw him after his resurrection, and witnessed 
his glorious ascension into heaven, j^et they were 
not prepared for the w^ork of the ministry — they 
must wait for the descent of the Holy Gliost upon 



4 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



them. JSTo man should enter upon the work of the 
ministry unless moved by the Holy Ghost to this 
holy work, and has a tongue of fire. Thus it was 
with all the workmen in the apostolic age, and so 
it has been with all God's called ministers down to 
this our day. We do not reach this fitness without 
great mental agony. Look at Saul at Damascus, 
'^trembling, neither did eat nor drink for three 
days.^' The anxiety of his mind and the anguish 
of his heart were so great that he had no appetite 
for food. 

Luther, the great reformer, had a like agony of 
soul to fit him for his work. In a hymn he em- 
bodies the plan of salvation, and his experience: 

The devil's captive, bound I lay — 

Lay in death's dark chains forlorn; 
My sins distressed me night and day, 

The sin ^vithin me born ; 
I could not do the thing I would, 
In all my life was nothing good. 

Sin had possessed me wholly. 
Then God saw, with deep pity moved, 

My grief that knew no measure ; 
Pitying he saw, and freely loved — 

To save me was his pleasure. 
He said to me: Cling close to me, 

Thy sorrows now are ending; 
Freely I give myself for thee. 

For I am thine and thou art mine.^^ 

"When Lutheranism penetrated into many parts 
of Germany, it carried this spirit with it, and the 
glorious heroes of his day, and others more modern, 
have well echoed the experience of the great re- 
former. To prepare them for this great work, both 
the Wesleys and Whitefield underwent long and 
severe mental struggles. They could not accom- 
pany an earnest, contrite spirit through this spirit- 
ual struggle unless they had known the way. An 
educated minister, sound in theology, without the 
gift of the Holy Ghost, is as a heavy cannon, well 



Semi-c1£ntennial SERMOn. 



5 



charged with cartridge, that remains harmless nntil 
fire is applied. He will baptize you with the Holy 
Ghost and with fire." The minister must have a 
tongue of fire. The apostolic age of the Church was 
an age of revivals. The great revival under the la- 
bors of Wesley was only the reappearance of that 
religious influence and power by which the age of 
the apostles was distinguished. 

In retrospecting the events and incidents of my 
past history, many scenes pass on the retiring shad- 
ows of life — some pleasant, others sad. My father, 
Thomas M. Sedwick, was born in Maryland, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1778. His father and Governor Joshua 
Johnson^ of Maryland, married sisters, in the Man- 
non family, in England, and came together to Amer- 
ica, Johnson with a commission as Governor of 
Maryland, and grandfather holding a position un- 
der him. At the time of the Revolutionary war he 
was stationed five miles below Baltimore to guard 
that pass, and watch the movements of the British 
forces in that direction. This was a post of great 
danger; he had his property all destroyed, and he 
staked his life for his country. And it is well known 
in the history of our country that General Wash- 
ington acknowledged that the aid received from 
Governor Johnson enabled him to sustain his ar- 
mies and bring the war to a victorious conclusion. 

My father had a good English education, conse- 
quently he was called on by the people to fill oflices 
that demanded the services of a man of his qualifi- 
cations. Two of his brothers became able ministers 
of the gospel. My father was a cousin to Reverdy 
Johnson and Mrs. J. Q. Adams, which gave him 
many advantages in social life. In 1789 he married 
Miss Barbara Coons, who was of German descent, 
and lived at the time in Sharpsburg, Maryland. 
My mother could read and write as well as speak 
the German language. They were of families of 



6 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



unusual strength of body and mind. When father 
died it was with apoplexy, in the seventieth year of 
his age. He was brought up in the Episcopal 
Church, and my mother in the Lutheran, but about 
1809, when the first Methodist societj^ was formed 
in their neighborhood, they joined it and he became 
the leader. After this his house became the travel- 
ing preacher's home. Bishops Asbury and What- 
coat, and their co-laborers, rested and refreshed 
themselves in our family. I remember some of 
those plainly dressed servants of God; and when 
I was but a lad I have often left the room, after be- 
ing prayed for by name, almost happj" enough to 
shout. My father and mother lived religious and 
died in the Lord, and their remains are resting side 
by side in the old cemetery in Butler, Pennsylvania. 
A few years ago I visited their graves. There I 
bowed over their remains — thought and praj^ed; 
but they could not speak to me. I had been gone 
for many years a pilgrim and a stranger in laboring 
to save souls, and had traveled many miles to visit 
this sacred spot. I had no words, but tears flowed. 
The pleading words in prayer, when they gathered 
us children — nine in all — around the family altar, 
linger in my memory. 

Where they are gone 
Adieus and fareweUs are a sound unknown. 
May I but meet them on that peaceful shore, 
The parting words shall pass my lips no more. 
My boast is not that I deduce my birth 
From loins enthyoned and rulers of the earth, 
But higher far my proud pretensions rise — 
The son of parents passed into the skies. 

When my father died, the old family Bible fell 
into improper hands, and when found the family 
records were torn out. I am informed I was born 
in Friends Cove, on the line between Pennsylvania 
and Maryland, February 14, 1809. My father lived 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



7 



in Bedford, Pennsylvania, during the war of 1812-15 
with Great Britain, and when the war closed he 
► moved to Butler, Pennsylvania. Here I attended 
school in Butler Academy, which was conducted 
by an able faculty. In a few years I turned my at- 
tention to teaching to enable me to pay my w^ay at 
college, and went to Mr. Ayers to read law. 

About this time the Methodist preachers com- 
menced preaching in our town, and I became awak- 
ened to a sense of sinfulness, and in devout prayer 
sought the mercy of .God. After months of great 
distress I united with the Methodists as a seeker of 
religion. This took place in the summer of 1827. 
I had sought this blessing secretly, but when I came 
forward openly and bowed down at a mourner's 
bench, in a few niinutes "t\iQ peace that passeth un- 
derstanding'' filled my soul. A preacher. Brother 
Tacket, said to me: Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ 
died to save you; yes, you, as much as if there was 
not another sinner for whom he could have died." 
I said, as I felt, that is enough — he died for vie; and 
instantly I felt the love of God in my soul and re- 
joiced. Sorrow and fear had fled away, and I knew 
I was a child ^'born again;" converted, " born from 
above." The grace of God, b}^ faith in Christ, had 
freely forgiven all my sins, and the Spirit answered 
to the blood, and told me I was born of God." 
Some of my Calvinistic neighbors pressed it upon 
me to ''take care lest you be deceived." 

I reasoned with flesh and blood, and lost the peace 
and joy I had felt. I went into a secret place that 
I might, by prayer and faith, find an absent Lord. 
My praj^ers did not give me anj' relief — the heavens 
seemed to be brass over my head. While on my 
knees I opened my pocket Testament, and while I 
was reading the twentieth chapter of St. John, 
where we read of some who went to the sepulcher 
in search of their Saviour — '' he was risen indeed" — 



8 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



then and there I felt this resurrection power, and 
shouted, ''I can never doubt again!" And I can 
say now, from that glad hour to this day, more than 
fifty years, I have never once doubted that God has 
done something in and for me that made me happy, 
call it what we may. I was put to work at once in 
taking part in our social meetings, and as our com- 
mencement was small and but few to lead, I had to 
take part in that also; and July 6, 1829, the pastor. 
Rev. J. J. Kent, of Butler Circuit, Pittsburg Con- 
ference, placed in my hands license to exhort. So 
I went to work preaching b}^ way of exhortation. 
About this time I took charge of a school in the' 
countrj^, and boarded with a most excellent family 
by the name of Carson. The old man, his wife, and 
two daughters professed sanctification. Father Car- 
son was also an exhorter, and was a good worker, 
and could speak to the people in German, if need be. 
So he and I went out in many places and prepared 
the way for our preachers in carrying the gospel in 
regions yet beyond. 

In addition to family worship morning and night, 
we had a family prayer-meeting once a week. In 
one of these meetings the two youngest of the fam- 
ily were converted, and we had a rejoicing time. 
August 14, 1830, less than one year after the date 
of my license to exhort, there was given me license 
to preach, signed by Ira Eddy, presiding elder. I 
w^as now going to school at the academy, and a 
camp-rneeting was held some twenty -five miles from 
Butler, and our professor, Mr. Sharron, hearing that 
Dr. Bascom was to be there, went. The Doctor 
pi'eached on Sunday from Behold the Lamb of 
God," etc. Mr. Sharron was pierced to the heart, 
cried for mercy, found peace and pardon through 
the Lamb of God, joined the Methodist Church, 
and attended our meetings. He would go with his 
wife to her church-door and then come to our meet- 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



9 



ings. I asked him: ^'Professor, I often wonder 
how a man of your surroundings will attend our 
meetings." ^^Sir/^ said he, ''I make it a matter of 
conscience to attend mv own meetings.'^ Dr. Bas- 
com's preaching was sublime, and of great effect. 
I was anxious for an education, and resolved to 
make myself a scholar and a useful man. We had 
about eight in class in sbhool, and the most of us 
were trying to be religious, and we oftentimes met 
in religious devotion in public, and in secret places, 
and we were thus helps to each other. In the 
spring of 1833 Rev. Z. H. Coston, presiding elder 
on Alleghany District, Pittsburg Conference, called 
on me to take the place of a preacher who had left 
the Ridgway Mission, that lies on the top of the 
Alleghany Mountain. Just there, and under such 
circumstances, I was influenced to change my studies 
in school for the hard life of an itinerant preacher. 
I have always deplored the lack of a thorough edu- 
cation, and have oftentimes reproached myself for 
entering the ministry so soon. I went, at Brother 
Coston's bidding, and formed a work called on the 
Minutes Ridgway Mission. 

I can never forget the day I left home to labor in 
that wilderness. When a mile on my way, I reached 
an elevated place, from which I could see home 
again. I looked back, and saw the family looking 
after me. For the moment I thought I must go 
back, but my faithful horse went on, and I was soon 
out of sight. I could see but dimly then — the tears 
would come. And on I went up to the head-waters 
of Clarin River, on the west side of the AUegha- 
nies, and over to the branches of the Susquehanna 
on the east. This pine wilderness was awfully sub- 
lime — trees tall and thick, and all seemed dark at 
midday. Here I was informed of the alarming facts 
of my predecessor's bewilderment. When night 
overtook him, and having lost his path, he alighted 



10 



Semi-ckntennial Sermok. 



from his horse, and hitched him, to feel for the 
path. This could not be found, so he turned back 
to find his horse, and his horse was also lost; and 
finally, worn out, he sat down, and in sadness list- 
ened for the approach of the beasts of the wilder- 
ness, which he feared would devour him. At the 
dawning of the coming day he heard a rooster crow- 
ing, and he followed the sound of his welcome voice 
until he reached a farm-house. The farmer went 
with the preacher, both on horseback; and when 
they reached the neighborhood of where they sup- 
posed the preacher's horse had been left, the farmer 
ordered the lost stranger to halt, and he w^ould 
advance, and if his horses, when separated, should 
whinny to get together, his, if in hearing, would 
reply; and so it turned out, and the brother got 
out of the woods as soon as he could, and made for 
sweet home. 

When I reached Eidgway, the principal settle- 
ment, I found a few^ families of intelligence driving 
a lumbering business. I preached on Sunday, and 
invited serious persons to remain for class. One lady 
in her talk said: ''Sisters, we are here in the woods 
without preaching, and we united our prayers 
that God would send us a preacher, and he has 
heard our prayers." We had a shouting time that 
da,y in class-meeting. 

I found here a Universalist preacher, who in one 
of the settlements was holding the fort, and he 
threw himself in my way, and was not slow to in- 
troduce his opinions and condemn mine. He took 
the ground that if God decreed whatsoever comes 
to pass, men do God's will, do w^hat they may, and 
hence all must be saved. I simply informed him 
that his premises being false his conclusions were 
untrue. ''Let me ask you, as a teacher in Israel: 
I am a seeker of salvation, what shall I do to be 
saved?" He replied, "Believe in the Saviour." 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



11 



^^Wel], if I do not believe, what then?" I held 
him to this, and, in the estimation of those who 
heard, sustained myself. 

In the same neighborhood were two brothers, one 
claiming to be Jeremiah the prophet, and the other 
St. Paul. 

I made out a plan for the mission, and sent it to 
Conference, which met in Meadville, Pa., July, 1833. 
At this Conference I was received on trial in the 
Pittsburg Conference. Here is the list of those re- 
ceived that year: Wesley Smith, George Jj. Sisson, 
James L. Read, Thomas Baker, John L. Williams, 
Isaac N. McAbee, William Hunter, Alfred G. Stur- 
gis, Samuel Kile, Simon Elliott, Benjamin F. Sed- 
wick, Hiram Luce, Samuel W. Ingraham, Francis 

A. Dighton, Darius Williams, Daniel Pritchard, R. 

B. Gardner, Hiram Minor, Cornelius D. Batelle, 
James C. Merriman, Milton Colt, Ralph Clapp, John 
Coil, and Matthew Simpson — 24. 

About five years ago. Bishop Simpson appeared 
in the Fittsbiirg Advocate^ edited by Rev. W. Hunter, 
and said: 

"Our Class. — At the Pittsburg Conference, held 
in Meadville, July 17, 1833, a class of twenty-four 
young men w^ere admitted on trial. Among them 
your name, Mr. Editor, and mine appear. More 
than forty years have passed since that time — years 
of light and shadow, joys and sorrows, toils and 
rest. At the beginning of this new year, memory 
recalls the scenes of the past, and I ask. Where are 
these classmates of 1833? . . . My first inter- 
view with any member of the class, except three, 
so far as I now remember, was at the Conference of 
1834, held in Washington, Pennsylvania. . . 
In the room of the examining committee I met my 
classmates, who were all present; and there formed 
the beginning of those friendships which have been 
so endearing and permanent, and which I trust will 



12 



Semi-centeknial Sermok, 



continue in a better land. . . . B. F. Sedwick was 
a member of the West Virginia Conference, but in 
1852, at the first Conference in which I presided, 
lost his connection with the Church, being involved 
in the slavery troubles in that region of the country." 

The Central Methodist (Rev. Z. Meek, editor) fol- 
lowed the Bishop's notice of O-ur Class " in these 
pointed words: 

" Bishop Simpson, of the l^orthern Church, in an 
article in the Pittsburg Advocate^ under the caption 
Our Class,' gives the names and an account in detail 
of the class of twenty-four, himself one of the num- 
ber, who were admitted on trial ij.i the Pittsburg 
Conference, held at Meadville, July 17, 1833. Prom 
the article we see that our good friend and brother, 
Rev. B. F. Sedwick, of the Kentucky Conference, 
was a member of that class. The Bishop says of 
Brother Sedwick, that in 1852, he being a member 
of the Western Virginia Conference, was lost to the 
Church, being involved in the slavery troubles in 
that region of the country. We take pleasure in 
assuring the Bishop that there is no truer, purer, 
or more devoted man in the celebrated 'Our Class' 
than Rev. B. F. Sedwick, a fact which his refusal 
to join the hungry pack from Plymouth Rock in 
their unholy war upon slavery (a subject over which 
the Church had no jurisdiction) sufficientl}^ attests. 
He is a preacher of positive character, of very de- 
cided ability, carefully supervising every interest of 
the Church, and devoted to the one work of win- 
ning souls to Christ." 

Bishop, Simpson was so profoundly abolition that 
he permitted a slave case to come up that had been 
ruled out by Bishop Morris a year before. There 
was an important object in so doing. 

My first appointment was Summerfield, Ohio; my 
colleague, Edward Taylor, in charge. We were 
blessed with a sweeping revival on this circuit, and 



Semi-centennial Sermon, 



13 



near three hundred were received into the Church. 
The last one in the village who came in was a 
saloon-keeper, who, seeing the ''stars falling," fell 
upon his knees in the street in terror and alarm, 
crying to God to have mercy on him. At one of 
our appointments there were a brother and his wife 
who were prosperino; in worldly goods, but had not 
attended meeting for some two years. I visited 
them, remained all night, and put the subject of 
non-attendance at church plainly to them, and their 
excuse was that they were very poorly and unable 
to attend. I said: "Your place of meeting is two 
miles from your home, and your place of market- 
ing is eight miles. Now, tell me how is it that both 
of you are in market selling your stufl* nearly every 
week, and you are seen elsewhere, even at a circus 
show?" 1 labored with them until I got them to 
promise to come to church, and they did so. If 
they had not done so, they would have been dropped 
from the class-book. If one is permitted to remain 
in the Church, and will not attend religious services, 
we do that person, as well as the Church, an injustice. 

This was a hard year on the people. Frost the 
25th of May, 1834, destroyed the wheat and almost 
every green thing; the woods looked black. Feed 
for my horse, in some places, could not be had. I 
left the circuit a month before Conference, and my 
colleague six months before, and lived with his 
father, i received this year fifty-three dollars for a 
year of hard work. 

In Summerfield we had some trouble with a local 
preacher, Rev. Mr. Little, who claimed to be en- 
dowed with the power to cast out devils, and who 
succeeded in getting a few of his friends to believe 
in his pretensions. They would be at our church 
sometimes, and while I was preaching he would 
command the devil to come out of some friend of 
his, and an exciting time would be produced, and 



14 



Semi-centennial Sermon, 



our meeting break up in confusion. He was finally 
expelled from the Church. 

It was within the bounds of this circuit that 
Brill, who claimed to be ''the God of the whole 
earth/' figured. He had some thirty worshipers. 
He said he would appear in judgment in a short 
time, and take believers home, and destroy unbe- 
lievers. I saw the elevated spot on Mr. McCormack's 
farm where he said his throne should be erected. 
This McCormack and one Dills were his two wit- 
nesses, who should be slain in the streets of the 
great city, and come to life in three ^md a half years, 
and go abroad to witness for him. Brill, their God, 
convinced his disciples that the Lamb had a bride, 
and he took the wife of one of his worshipers, and 
all seemed right among them. About this time a 
mob informed him that he must leave the country, 
or they would test the matter as to his divine at- 
tributes. Brill told his worshipers not to fear, he 
could not be hurt — he was not flesh and blood; 
but the mob took him one night, while his people 
were around him in their devotions, and made him 
run the gantlet between two hundred men, each 
with a raw-hide well laid on, that it might be tested 
whether or not he had blood. Poor wretch! his 
blood flowed freely, and he left for parts unknown. 
Sometimes these deluded men would attend our 
meetings at Miller's Church, and while I was preach- 
ing would put forth some unearthly groan. These 
things show the extreme weakness and depravity 
of human nature. 

At the close of our quarterly- meeting at this 
meeting-house, one morning, in company with Wes- 
ley Browning, presiding elder, and several other 
preachers, a lot of young men by the road-side re- 
marked when we rode up, ""Well, when did the pen- 
itentiary break loose?" There are persons among 
us in this day who say the times are getting worse; 



Semi-centennial Sebmon. 



15 



but if they had lived under the circumstances we 
did, they would think otherwise. 

My second appointment was Harrison Circuit, 
West Virginia, with Kev. J. Phillips in charge. 
We traveled from below Fairmont up to Buck- 
ban non River, including all the valley of the east 
and west forks of the Monongahela River, some 
two hundred miles around the circuit, twenty-eight 
appointments to meet in twenty-eight days, and hav- 
ing nine hundred members to care for. We mostly 
led class at the close of the sermon. In this way 
we became acquainted with our people, and to most 
of them these were the only visitations they received 
from us. If our preachers of these days would adopt 
this plan, we should hear less complaints about visit- 
ing. We had some good meetings, and some two 
hundred were added to the Church. 

At one meeting the divine power w^as so manifest 
that at the same moment all on their feet fell, and 
a number at the mourner's bench were converted. 
I caught to a brother who was on his knees, or I 
should have fallen to the floor. This power con- 
trolled the meeting. 

We commenced preaching at Smith's School- 
house that year, and formed a class, which soon 
became one of the best appointments in the circuit. 
Mr. Joshua Smith, mostly with his own money , 
built a good meeting - house, and a prosperous 
church was established. The labors of this year 
were exceedingly hard on my constitution, and at 
the close I was greatly worsted. I received but sev- 
enty dollars for my work. 

The Conference met in Pittsburg this year, and 
on July 26, 1835, I was set apart to the office of a 
deacon by Bishop R. R. Roberts. My appointment 
this year was Hughes River Mission. This field 
took in the upper part of Middle Island River, 
down over the north and south forks of Hughes 



16 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



Eiver, and to Little Kanawha River, and its west 
fork, and Steer Creek: sometimes swimming riv- 
ers; then again follow^ing the water-courses, cross- 
ing and recrossing; then climbing a long, steep 
point of a dividing ridge, and then following the 
dim path blazed out for us zigzag for miles. While 
you travel with us in your mind's eye, look at the 
ice in those streams of water in the winter, and the 
snow hanging on the brush bent over the paths w^e 
were compelled to travel. And when we reached 
the house to preach in, it was a log-cabin, some- 
times chinked and daubed, w^ith a puncheon floor, 
a clapboard door, a chimney of log- frame, w^ith 
slab-rock inside to protect the frame from burning, 
and this chimney up to the mantel, and the only 
covering a clapboard roof. This house, say twenty 
feet square, is church, parlor, dining-room, kitchen, 
and bed-room. I have slept in such places, on bed- 
steads made of poles fastened in the walls, one post 
on the floor, clapboards for slats, a straw tick to 
lie on, and sometimes compelled to cover my head 
to keep the snow from falling on. my face. 

My colleague. Brother Lemon, on his first round 
on the south fork of Hughes River, one cold day, 
in a fearful snow-storm, rode four miles out of his 
way to get a night's lodging in more comfortable 
quarters, but dropped into a cabin in w^orse plight 
than any I have described. The way it happened 
was this : Mr. Parks met him the day before, dressed 
in broadcloth — more finely dressed than any in the 
country. He w^ent home with him, hoping to see 
a fine house. The young preacher suffered much 
that night, but learned not to take a man for what 
he seems to be. On one occasion w^hile I was 
preaching in one of those cabins, two old ladies 
sitting near me lit their pipes and smoked me out. 
When I informed them of it, one replied, God bless 
your pretty little soul, I never thought of that." 



Semi-centennial Sebmon. 



17 



And my predecessor called to visit a family in 
one of those abodes of poverty, and in course of 
conversation had occasion to say ''Christ died," 
when he was interrupted by the lady, ''What! is 
he dead?" The preacher said, "Sister, I perceive 
that you are in the dark." "Yes; I have been at 
John for some time to cut a window in our house." 
When I reached the Jurkland Settlement, on the Lit- 
tle Kanawha, I came in contact with an old man, 
Mr. Naler, and a young man, Mr. Sharp, who were 
trjdng to build up a new party out of our Church- 
members, teaching that God did not know every 
thing — did not know as much as prophets and as- 
tronomers — and called themselves " Sinitoral.'^ I 
never ventured to pass around from the north fork 
of Hughes River alone. I had to take this pre- 
caution to protect mj character, such was the dis- 
position of some to slander preachers. Every mis- 
sionary who was in this work before me was greatly 
annoyed from this cause. On my first round I learned 
that the son of a Seventh-day Baptist preacher started 
an evil report on me, but I demanded a peace, and 
compelled those people to respect Methodist preach- 
ers by making that young man sign a libel. This 
was a prosperous year, and some two hundred were 
added to this charge, and the next year it was made 
a self-sustaining circuit. 

My next appointment was Lewis Circuit, with 
Brother Thomas Baker assistant. This was a 
large work, reaching from Hacker's Creek, be- 
low Weston, to Flat Woods, in Braxton, and to 
DeKalb, on Little Kanawha, to French Creek and 
Buckhannon. In the winter and spring it was al- 
most impossible to reach some places where we had 
appointments. Brother Baker was a man with a 
wife and several children, and was in poor health. 
He died in a short time after he left this work, and 
here is what I said of him after death: 
2 



18 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



The Bishop makes commendable mention of 
Thomas Baker, one of our class, who years ago 
passed over the river. Brother Baker, some two 
years before his death, was a colleague of mine on 
Lewis Circuit. He was a good Christian and a use- 
ful preacher. "When he was dying he asked his 
wife, ^Am I dying?' She replied, 'Yes, my clear; 
you are dyiug.' Said he, 'How easy it is to die!' 
' Mark the perfect man, and behold the uprig?it, for 
the end of that man is peace.' " 

We had a large amount of enforcement of Disci- 
pline to attend to on this work, and that too with 
some men in high places. But after the honor of 
the Church was secured, even the expelled confessed 
we did right, and in a lawful way came back. We 
received many additions to the Church. We never 
lose any thing, but gain much, by properly enforc- 
ing the rules of the Church. 

I went from Lewis to Harrison Circuit, where I 
w^as two years ago, and now find it divided; it is 
much less than it was. Soon after I commenced 
my labors on this work, I married Miss Mary W. 
Smith. Further notice of this young lady will be 
given in another place. Mr. Joshua Smith, her fa- 
ther, gave us an outfit, and we went to housekeep- 
ing in the parsonage in Bridgeport. On this cir- 
cuit we had a good work, and souls were converted 
and added to the Church. This was not a good 
paying charge, and inasmuch as 1 married a rich 
man's daughter, I fared badly in finances, and hence 
I desired a change at the close of the year. 

I was sent to Monongahela Circuit. The Con- 
ference met this year in Steubenville, Ohio, and I 
was set apart to the ofiice of an elder, by Bishop 
E. R, Roberts, July 23, 1837. We went into the 
parsonage in Middletown, now Fairmont, capital of 
Marion county. When I went to this place we had 
but nine members to begin with in town, and they 



Semi-centennial Sebmon, 



19 



but new beginners; no house to worship in. My 
wife took an active part in their social meetings, 
and did vakiable service in buikling up our Cliurch 
in this phxce. We worked hard on this held to ad- 
vance the cause of God. And we had to endure 
persecution at the hands of the settled minister of 
the town. He placed in the hands of the people 
Mr. Arnott's ''Difficulties of Arminianisra." This 
book is a slanderous production. I noticed this 
work, and in doing so provoked the said preacher 
to shape a course which involved both of us in un- 
pleasant personalities, which caused his people to 
dismiss him, and he left the country. We increased 
our membership to forty in a few months, built a 
good church, received in all over two hundred on 
the circuit. An (J in this town there are now two 
large Methodist churches and a female college. The 
Lord w^as with us those two j' ears of labor and trial. 
Rev. J. W. Reyer was my colleague the first year, 
and the second year Rev. W. B. McFarland, both 
able young preachers and good workers. 

Elizabethtown Circuit was my next work, with J. 
Flowers as my assistant. This circuit is a pleasant 
and easy work; the town, twelve miles below Wheel- 
ing, was our home. AVhen I received my appoint- 
ment I was informed by the presiding elder that I 
w^as appointed there to build a church. The mem- 
bers in Moundsville, on the Ohio River, wished to 
have it down there, and the friends in Elizabethtown 
must have it there — they were one mile apart. I 
went to work, and succeeded in getting a lot to 
build on, between the two places, and with some 
assistance, labored with my own hands, and got the 
foundation nearly completed before Conference, and 
had the house under contract to have it inclosed. 
While I was absent at Conference, the Moundsville 
people talked of taking up the foundation and plac- 
ino^ it in their town. This stirred ud manv who 



20 



Semi-centenxial Sermon. 



were lukewarm. They went to work in good ear- 
nest, and the house was completed, and the Confer- 
ence met in it the next year. And now that build- 
ing is in the most central part of the town. This 
matter was no small hinderance to our spiritual pros- 
perity on the work, but not so much as was the fact 
that we were in the midst of the most exciting po- 
litical canvass the country ever saw— the Presiden- 
tial election of 1840. 

We passed through the year, and met with some 
success in saving souls. I managed to have the 
church built, but involved them in debt. 'Not w'lW- 
ing to be in a strain another year, I asked to be 
removed, and was sent to Waynesburg Circuit, a 
work partly in Pennsylvania and Virginia. We 
lived in Mount Morris, a central* place on the cir- 
cuit. During this year we had a wonderful display 
of God's awakening and converting power. I com- 
menced a series of protracted meetings, the first in 
a community where I had good reason to believe 
there would be no failure, and w^e were blessed 
greatly. I then went to an adjoining neighbor- 
hood, taking all the new converts and mourners I 
could with me; and w^hen we commenced, it was 
with a revival, and the work spread far and wide. 
So w^e conducted the work all over the charge. 
There were one hundred and six added to the Church 
in Mount Morris at one meeting, and the work 
went on until two hundred were received in that 
town, making eight hundred on the circuit, and at 
least one thousand conversions. At these meetings, 
if members of the Church had friends for whose 
conversion they were praying, they w^ould publicly 
ask the Church also to pray for those friends; and 
where this was done, they received the blessing; 

While w^e were holding a meeting on Dunkard 
Creek, an infidel by the road-side stopped the preach- 
ers w^hen passing his house, called their attention 



Semi-centenkial Sermok. 



21 



to the above fact, and said, Try your hand on me, 
and see if your prayers will be heard." A preacher 
said, ''I will tell the Church what you saj^ and we 
will pray for you/' For two or three days after 
this, he daily asked the preacher to request the peo- 
ple to cease praying for him. Said he, ''I feel un- 
happy." The preacher carrying such encouraging 
news to the church but increased their faith, and in 
a few days this old sinner was moved to come to 
meeting, was converted, and united with the Church. 
Christians ought to do this everywhere. Such was 
the power of the Holy Ghost that some who had 
been baptized by immersion applied to me to rebap- 
tize them by pouring. 

I was so completely broken down at the end of 
the year that I took a supernumerary relation, and 
was appointed agent for the Js^orth-western Virginia 
Academy, in Clarksburg, Virginia. My family re- 
sided with my father-in-law this year. At the next 
Conference I was sent to Harrison Circuit for the 
third time, with a young man to assist me by the 
name of Sarver, who died before the year closed. 
He was a good man, and went to heaven. This 
was a prosperous year. 

At the next Conference I was called back to a 
part of the Waynesburg work, where we had such 
a great revival, and placed on Greensboro Circuit, 
a most delightful two weeks' work. We lived in 
Greensboro, where we had two years of prosperity. 
While here vve lost twin boys — one when seven 
months old, and the other thirteen months. This 
was a sore trial to myself and wife. During our stay 
here we went through another exciting political 
campaign (1844); and what was more discouraging 
was the dividing of our Church — iSTorth and South. 

At the close of my services on this circuit, I was 
appointed to Belleville, Pennsylvania, one of the 
best circuits in the Conference; but I did not think 



22 



Semi-centennial Sebmon. 



well of the motive in so doing. My elder wished 
me to go to Pittsburg; but declining, I was sent to 
Belleville. They wished to get me out of slave ter- 
ritory, fearing I might adhere to the South. This 
was a year of some prosperity — in saving souls and 
building up the Church. Rev. W. Cox was my col- 
league. Here we buried a promising boy. This 
caused us to say,^'All these things are against us." 
While in this place I made my father a visit with 
my famil}'. I had not seen him for several years. 
Spent a few weeks pleasantly and religiously; and 
when I had got twenty miles from him on my way 
home, I received a message that he had died the 
evening before. O how glad I was that I had en- 
joyed his company before he went to heaven! 

At the close of this year, I was appointed to Ma- 
rion Circuit, Virginia. I was here two years. My 
tirst colleague was De Garmoe, a young man of some 
ability; but unfortunately he knew more than our 
standard works, and before the year closed he was 
out of the Church. When I hear a man teaching 
doctrines contrary to our standards, I cannot but 
think of De Garmoe. My next colleague was Dr. 
Striblen, a useful man. We enjoyed a powerful re- 
vival these two years. In Fairmont we held a meet- 
ing for a week or more with closed doors, for the 
benefit of the members of the Church, but the 
shouts of newborn souls attracted the people out- 
side. The revival feeling became general, and we 
opened the doors, and made a protracted eflbrt for 
some weeks. The work became so powerful as to 
enlist the ministers and people of all the Churches. 
This work went on grandly — singing, praying, and 
shouting could be heard all through the town. One 
hundred and four united with us, and a goodly num- 
ber joined other Churches in the place. Rev. S. El- 
liott, presiding elder, preached a few sermons during 
this meeting that did great good in alarming sinners. 



Semi-centexnial Sebmox. 



23 



In noticing ''Our Class," Bishop Simpson wrote: 
"Few have equaled Simon Elliott in strength of in- 
tellect and firmness of •purpose; and had he lived, 
he would have impressed himself deeply on the 
Church." . 

And Dr. Hunter adds: ''Simon Elliott was the 
most terrible preacher we ever heard. He reveled 
among the thunders of Sinai. He was a faithful, 
honest, able preacher, and went home at last as in 
a chariot of tire." 

This is all true. He was at one time my presid- 
ing elder; and on a quarterly-meeting occasion in 
Fairmont, Virginia, under his pointed and powerful 
preaching many were constrained to cry for mercy; 
and then and tliere a powerful revival commenced, 
and continued until over one hundred were con- 
verted to God. It is said "he went home at last as in 
a chariot of fire." His sickness lasted but a few days ; 
and when asked, "How do you feel?" he would 
reply, "I have peace with God, but I have not the 
ecstasy." A few hours before he died, Brother J. 
Spencer engaged in prayer with the dying man, 
and rose up and commenced singing an appropriate 
hymn; and discovering Brother Elliott waiving 
his hand in holy triumph, he stopped and inquired, 
"Brother Elliott, how^ do you feel?" He replied, 
"01 have got the ecstasj' , and it is more than I 
expected!" 

This good work extended over the circuit, and 
hundreds were added to the Church. Here, during 
this revival, our Joshua, aged five years, died of 
scarlet fever. This w^as crushing to myself and 
wife, but the Lord was our refuge and strength. I 
bought a home for my family in this town, and our 
two daughters were in school here. 

At the close of my term on Marion Circuit, I was 
put in charge of Palatine Circuit, on tlie opposite 
side of the river; a large and hard field to cultivate, 



24 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



but we succeeded in doing some good. At a point 
near Laurel Hill, I formed the acquaintance of Rev. 
Mr. Patterson, a preacher ^^mong the New Lights, 
who bought a wife by giving Mr. Baker a farm 
for his, and all parties were satisfied. I name this 
fact to show what sort of morals we had to contend 
with in those days. 

At the close of this year, I was put in charge of 
Parkersburg District. I was slow to take it, and 
have always regretted that I did do so. It was too 
large to travel without serious injury to man and 
beast. It extended along the Ohio River from Fish 
Creek to the ]3ig Kanawha, and back to Glenville 
and near Weston. Going hundreds of miles over 
the worst roads in Virginia, and encountering some 
ten or twelve large rivers emptying into the Ohio, I 
was compelled to keep two horses to do the travel- 
ing. I moved some eighty miles, and placed ray 
family in Harrisville, that they might be as near the 
center of the district as possible. We were there 
but a few months, when my wife was sent for to 
witness the death of her father. He died, and such 
was the change in our affairs we were compelled to 
return to Fairmont. I remained on the district, 
and closed up the work the best I could. 

Her father's will left my wife a slave, which Ave 
would not have in our family. Her brother Joshua 
was one of the administrators, and he agreed to 
sell the girl for his sister, and did so. I heard, be- 
fore Conference met at Charleston, Virginia, that I 
Avas to be arraigned for selling a slave. We met, but 
no one arrested my character. I informed Bishop 
Morris of Avhat had been expected; but as no one 
had moved in the matter, I considered it right and 
proper that I demand an investigation then and 
there. He said: ''JTo; fifty members of this Con- 
ference may have rumors derogatory to their good 
standing, and-would have as good a right as you to 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 25 

detain ns for weeks investigating their cases. The 
passing of yonv character is your defense." This 
was the last of it at this Conference; and I was 
returned to a new district, made out of a part of 
my old one, called New Martinsville. 

All went on well, and nine hundred were added 
to the Church ; and the Conference would soon meet 
in Morgantown, near the State line. Rev. Z. H. 
Adams, a violent abolitionist, obtained aid from Mr. 
Holland, a near neighbor of Mr. Smith, who sold 
the slave. They knew that Smith was young and 
timid, and exceedingly feeble in mind. Holland 
threatened this unfortunate young man with expul- 
sion from the Church, and in his weakness, believ- 
ing he was not responsible, he denied having sold the 
slave. So then Mr. Adams seized upon this to get 
the case up under a different phase — for falsehood, 
making the issue between myself and my wife's 
brother. They believed that weak boy's word be- 
fore mine, and got this young man to come to Con- 
ference and defend himself! Now they are ready to 
"hang his hide on the fence before he goes South," 
as Adams said. I met them with statements from 
persons of the first standing in Clarksburg, Virginia. 
Here is what Mr. Barlett says on the subject: 

"Clarksburg, Va., June 1, 1852. 

"Over a year ago I bought, for Mrs. Barlett, Mrs. 
Sedwick's colored girl from Mr. Joshua Smith, act- 
ing as agent in the matter for Mrs. Sedwick, Mr. 
Smith agreeing to sign the bill of sale, if necessary, 
and see that the girl be delivered to me. This is 
the only contract by me or my wife connected with 
this slave; and there was but one bill of sale, which 
was signed by Mrs. Sedwick. From beginning to 
end in this matter, Mr. Sedwick refused to take the 
least responsibility in the sale, and said that Mr. 
Joshua Smith was the agent in this matter for Mrs. 
Sedwick; and he so stated time and time again in 



26 



Semi-cextexxial SEmiox. 



the presence of Mr. Smith, who never once contra- 
dicted the assertion, bnt acted, as snch. as 1 at the 
time understood. I am clear in my mind that the 
above statements are true to the best of my recol- 
lection. James P. Bartlett."' 

I was appointed by Bishop Simpson, at this Con- 
ference, to Lund:>erport Circuit. Soon after this 
Conference closed, I sent the following to Eev. Mr. 
Tichnell, presiding elder: 

'•Dear Brother:— Inasmuch as the field of hibor 
assigned me at our Conference is in your district, 
I think it best,Jn this way and at this time, to in- 
form you that I cannot, in justice to my feelings 
and views of propriety, attend to it, or remain 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Xorth. Hence, I hereby resign my connection with 
said Church, with the intention of adhering to 
the Southern division of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. I do this under the provisions of the Plan 
of Separation adopted by the General Conference 
of 1844, which provides that ministers and others 
ma}^ do so without blame. Therefore I claim to 
be a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, and will choose the place of my member- 
ship, no crime or impediment appearing against me, 
which will be seen into by my Conference in due 
time. Your brother, 

B. F. Sedwick.'' 

A few weeks after this, my name was placed on 
tlie official list in Clarksburg by Eev. Samuel Kel- 
ley, presiding elder, and at the approaching Confer- 
ence, vrhich met in the same place, I presented my- 
self for an appointment; and my case being fully 
understood, and the secretary (Rev. A. AJartin) of 
the Conference I had just left being present, Bicdiop 
Capers asked him if there was any thing against nie 
at Conference save what was said about that slave 



Semi-centknkial Sermon. 



27 



affair, and Brother Martin said there was not. Tlie 
vote was taken, and I was received, and appointed 
to Clarksburg and Monongahela circuits, with S. 
K. Vaught, where I remained two years. 

Bisiiop Capers remarked on my reception : How 
sad, how sad it is tliat a minister, be his standing 
or usefulness what it may, when he makes a move 
southward his character is traduced, and as far as 
possible iiis usefulness damaged. What a pity! 
When will tliese things come to an end?'^ 

I thought of Bishop Andrew, Mr, Harding, and 
others, wdio had been the leading spirits ot the 
Church, annoyed on the slavery question, v/ho hap- 
pened to marry a wife, and that wife happened to 
have a friend who gave her a servant. Well, I con- 
cluded, I am in 'good compan y. 

I remained in Fairmont, doing what I thought 
prudent, under the circumstances, for tlie cause of 
God, and was called upon by Christian people every- 
wdiere to labor for their good. For services be- 
stowed on one occasion I received a vote of thanks 
from the Methodist Protestant Church, the largest 
and most influential congregation in town: 

''At a meeting of the official members of the 
Methodist Protestant Cliurch, of the Fairmont Sta- 
tion, held April 18, 1855, the follow^ing resolution 
w^as unanimously adopted: 

''-Resolved^ That this Conference sensibly feels its 
obligation to Brother B. F. Sedwick for his kind 
ministerial services in supplying our pulpit during 
the illness of our minister; and we shall be highly 
gratified if he will continue his services at all times 
that may suit his convenience. 

"J. L. Bakxes, 

This was passed April, 1855, and the same year 
I received the following kind letter from my whilom 
friend. I complied with his recp.iest, and repeatedly 



28 Semi-centennial Sermon. 



assisted him, and he was made welcome at my table 
and house: 

Barracksville, Ya., January 7, 1855. 
"Rev. B. F, Sedwick, 

Dear Brother: — My physician has positively 
interdicted me from preaching until I get better. 
In consequence of this, I saw Brother Pritchett 
on yesterday, and he agreed to preach at Asbury 
Chapel to-morrow morning, so that you can come. 
A protracted meeting. Please, therefore, come out 
in time to preach at 11 o'clock. 

" Respectfully, 

" Wesley Smith. 
In the course of time I blocked out two circuits, 
Boothsville and Rowlsburg, which was damaging 
to the North in some places, and my friend Snjith, 
who had been foiidling, turned upon me with great 
abuse. Many of the best and most influential citi- 
zens came to my defense: 

''Fairmont, Va., November 22, 1856. 
" Rev. B. P. Sedwick is an old, able, and efficient 
member of the Church (Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South), highly esteemed and beloved in his own re- 
gion of the State, and entitled to the confidence of 
Christians everj^where. 

"Very truly and sincerely, 

" Z. KiDWELL." 

Hon. Z. Kidwell, who gave this testimony, is a 
gentleman of standing, not only as a member of 
Congress of the Uuited States, but as a Christian, 
but of the reach of empty puffs, and along side of 
whom I have lived at sundry times since 1838. 

A. F. Haymond, Esq., attorney at the bar, said 
in November last: 

" I have been familiarly and intimately acquainted 
Avith Rev. B. F. Sedwick, of this place, and am sat- 
isfied as to his ability as a minister of the gospel, 



Semt-cextexxial Sebmox, 



29 



and of his morality and piety, and take great pleas- 
ure in so saying. A. F. IIaymond." 

U. N. Arnett, Esq., is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, I presume, and has been for years, 
and is a member of the House of Delegates of Vir- 
ginia from this county: 

^'Fairmont, Ya., May 11, 1857. 

''From a long personal and intimate acquaintance 
with Kev. B. F. Sedwick, it aftbrds me unfeigned 
pleasure to commend him most cordially to the high 
respect and confidence of my friends everywhere as 
a gentleman of irreproachable moral, religious, and 
ministerial character. Mr. Sedwick has been for 
many years an able and efficient minister of the 
gospel in this portion of Virginia. His labors 
among us have been productive of much good, 
which justly entitles him to the lasting gratitude 
of the whole Church. Highly esteemed and be- 
loved, and mostly so by those who know him best. 

" U. N. Arxett." 

I am not producing these facts to criminate any 
one who was connected with that unpleasant aflair. 
I am writing up history. 

In our lot in Fairmont Cemetery we have buried 
four of our children. October 19, 1855, our oldest 
daughter died in her seventeenth year. She was 
well advanced in her studies and doing well in mu- 
sic, and was a religious and acceptable member of 
the Church, and in death was joyful. Just before 
she died, she looked up and said, ''Don't you see 
them?" Her mother inquired, "Dear Mary, what 
do you see?" The dying child of God replied, 
"Do n't you see those beautiful angels?'' 

My next appointment was Little Kanawha Cir- 
cuit. We boarded near Parkersburg, with a broth- 
er-in-law, F. Y. Horner, Esq. AVe had a prosper- 
ous year, in seeing a number added to the Church. 



! 



30 



Semi-centennial Sermon, 



Bishop Pierce offeuecl me the Charleston District, but 
I could not see ray way clear to take it. 

The next year Bishop Kavanaugh sent me to 
Greenup Circuit, Kentucky. This charge was Cat- 
lettsburg, Ashland, and Greenup, a delightful work, 
and it was a prosperous year, and a place where I 
could have staid with much pleasure to myself and 
family, but I saw the cruel war would be upon us, 
and knew it would not be safe for me to be in that 
Conterence when it should come; hence I was trans- 
ferred, and Bishop Andrew sent me to Cynthiana, 
where we spent two of the happiest years of our life. 
We received a number into the Church, and derived 
a better support than in any other place in all my 
travels. 

The war commenced in April, and we went to 
Shannon and Sardis in the fall of the same year, 
1861. 

The next year I was sent to Maysville Station, 
where we had two pleasant and prosperous years, 
considering the excitement of war times. I was 
well supported, and my family well cared for. 

Our next appointment was Sharpsburgand Bethel. 
This work was much broken up by the effects of 
the war. I had two years of some prosperity there 
notwithstanding. 

From there I went to Poplar Plains and Ilillsboro. 
This work, if possible, was in a worse condition than 
[ found the former field; but we had some conver- 
sions and additions, and fitted up the parsonage in 
neat style. While here our daughter Jennie mar- 
ried Mr. F. M. Horner, of West Virginia, and went 
at once to housekeeping near Clarksburg. 

Now, Mrs. Sedwick and I were lonel}^, and at the 
close of two years we were sent to Alexandria Cir- 
cuit, and resided near Newport, in the Mt. Pleasant 
congregation. We had a powerful revival here — 
over forty added to the Church in Mt. Pleasant and 



Semi-centexntal Sermon. 



31 



many more on the circuit. At the close of tlie year 
the work was divided, and I had charge of Alexan- 
dria and Alt. Pleasant. On this work we had two 
good years. AVhile on this charge our dear Jennie 
died, and went peacefully to heaven. From here 
we went to Bedford work, where we spent three 
pleasant and prosperous years. Many were added 
to our number, and the people Avere kind to us. 

From Bedford we w^ent to iSTew Castle, and trav- 
eled Lockport one year and New Castle two years. 
There were considerable advances in our cause in 
some places during these years. 

I was sent from this place to Falmouth. We had 
considerable prosperity in this fiekl, near two hun- 
dred received, perhaps near one-half of this number 
in one place; and we received all the members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the Cape 
May resolution, which gave our Church considerable 
strength. And w^e fitted up our church in fine style. 

From this work we went, at the close of one 
year, to Cynthiana Station, where I remained in 
charge three years. Myself and vv-ife never went to 
a work w^ith more cheerfulness than we did on go- 
ing to Cynthiana. We had served this people once 
before, and were treated kindly. When w^e ar- 
rived, the people gave us a most cordial reception; 
and each year they renew^ed their kindness in a sub- 
stantial way. This people have supported me better 
than any other charge has done during the years of 
my itinerant life, and I feel so thankful to God I was 
w^ith them and in their care in the darkest days of 
my life. My wife, during the last few years, was in 
poor health, and while we were in this place she grad- 
ually declined, and August 18, 1881, she died from 
exhaustion. She was the daughter of Mr. Joshua 
Smith, of Harrison county, Virginia; was born 
December 23, 1815. She received a good English 
education, was a beautiful reader, and loved to read 



32 



Semi-centennial Sebmon. 



good books, and she read the Bible nearly every 
day, marking many of its rich and precious prom- 
ises. I often found it convenient when I could not 
turn to a text to ask her for it, and she but seldom 
failed to give it. Her kind and amiable disposition 
made her many friends. Though she had a wealthy 
father who would indulge her, she shunned vain and 
gaudy company, but sought the serious and religious, 
yhe took great pleasure in going to church and teach- 
ing a Sunday-school class. She joined the Meth- 
odist Church in the summer of 1836. She led the 
way in a large family who followed her into the 
Church. This timely step on her part did great 
good, for although in a community without an or- 
ganized religious society, without a house of relig- 
ious worship when this family went into the Church, 
in a few mx)nths they had a large Church-member- 
ship, and her father, having the means, put in about 
one thousand dollars, and attended to the work un- 
til they had a good house to worship God in, called 
the Smith Meeting-house. And this family always 
took a liberal part in the support of the cause of 
God. From the time she experienced heart-felt 
religion, she took a part in the prayer and class 
meetings, and love-feasts; and indeed she was always 
prompt to bear her part on all religious occasions. 
She kept a journal of some of her pious reflections 
and enjoyments. I will give a few, written in the 
coarse of some years, that her sort of religion may 
be understood, and impress others to a like holy 
life. She says, at different times: ''This has been 
a day long to be remembered. The Lord has been 
precious to my soul to-day. I feel that I have been 
permitted to taste the joys of the redeemed. Though 
very unworthy of the Lord's notice, he has been so 
•good, and in our general class I felt to shout his 
praises; and I do feel that I love the Lord and his 
people. If I know myself, my supreme afi:ections 



Semi-centennial Sebmon. 



33 



are placed on God. This world and its pleasures 
are fast sinking behind me. There is nothing sure 
but God; in him we can trust; he never will forsake 
his people." 

Again: ''A\k1 I hope in the trying hour of deatli 
it will make vne happy. 0 that I had a larger share 
of that religion, that I could rejoice evermore, and 
ill all things give thanks!" 

And fi\rther on: ''I have many reasons to thank 
God this day, in looking back on my past life. 
Since I have made a profession of religion the good- 
ness of God has followed me all the way. It is about 
seventeen years since I started in earnest to serve 
God, and he has wonderfully sustained me." 

And again: ^'O kind Father, leave me not nor 
forsake me, but let me daily get closer to thee; as- 
similate me into thy likeness; make me what thou 
wouldst have me be. 0 make me holy! for with- 
out holiness I cannot dwell with thee in heaven." 

And as she was approaching the end : " I have great 
reasons to feel thankful. I know this is not my abid- 
ing-place. I can say I am glad I am born to die. My 
soul shall pass from earth to heaven. This world is 
good in its place; here we may prepare for a better 
world. 0 may I, a worm of the dust, be enabled 
through grace to reach that happy home. I have 
often rejoiced that I have trials; they prove a bless- 
ing to me. Often I cry against myself, and weep 
over my unfaithfulness, and with tears plead for a 
clean heart and full conformity to His will. When 
I examine myself, and get a proper view of myself 
— my unworthiness — I feel unworthy of that state 
of bliss. But shall I be saved through my worthi- 
ness? 0 no! but through the mercy and goodness of 
God. 0 let my pleadings be before him day by day, 
until I am fully his; until I am brought to that hap- 
py company which dwell in his glorious presence." 

She records a victory: ''This has been a day of 



34 



Semi-centennial Sermon, 



peace to my soul. Clouds arose, and towered high; 
but they broke in blessings upon my soul, and I re- 
joice in prospect of eternal o^lory. 0 "oleasing pros- 
pect!" 

Her love for the means of grace: '^Many have 
been my privileges this day; I bless the Lord for 
them, I attended love-feast at nine o'clock a.m., 
where I enjoyed nracli of the presence of the Lord; 
preaching at eleven o'clock, and sacrament at three. 
I had a peaceful day. O may I ever enjoy God's 
grace! I feel a strong assurance this evening that 
I shall be the Lord's tally — be sanctified and made 
hol3^ 0 may my hungerings and thirstings for ho- 
liness increase daily, until I am a sanctified Chris- 
tian! O may I be fullv resigned to the will of mv 
Heavenly Father!" 

Again : '' I have found the Lord to be good to me 
in sickness and in liealth, in prosperity and in ad- 
versity. 0 may I live near him! may his blood 
cleanse and purify my heart! Father, mother, 
brothers, and sisters, and six of our dear children 
are up there. 0 how I long to be there! " 

Her views of death: Death is a solemn event; 
yet there is a beauty in it to those who can say, 
death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is thy 
victory? ' I can say^ Siceet messenger of rest! " 

I never heard my dear, good wife once say, under 
any circumstances, that she feared death, but she 
repeatedly spoke of it as a sweet rest. And at one 
time, just before she died (indeed, I supposed she 
was dying), I called her attention to the fact that 
she would soon be with our children in heaven. 
She said, Yes, that will be so nice." 

We lived together in all the trying circumstances 
of an itinerant life forty-four j^ears, in rains of af- 
fliction, storms of wrath, and floods of persecution, 
but under all circumstances she exhibited the fact 
that her house was built upon a Rock. And when 



Semi-centennial Hel'mon, 



death came, she fell asleep calmly, without a strui^-- 
gle, and went to that sweet rest." * 

Jesus can make a dying-bed 

Feel soft as downy piUows are, 
While on his breast I lean my head, 

And breathe my life out sweetly there. 

During these fifty years past I can say, with feel- 
ings of thankfulness, "The Lord hath done grei^t 
things for us, whereof we are glad." At the death 
of my wife I asked for a small and convenient 
charge, that I might close up my affairs, and I was 
placed on Hutchison Circuit, on w^hich I spent a 
pleasant year with a kind and sympathizing peo- 
ple. And now I am here on Jessamine Circuit, sur- 
rounded by a good and kind people, and up to this 
time have received into the Church between sixty 
and seventy members. 

Pittsburg Conference, fifty years ago, contained 
the present Pittsburg and Erie, and nearly one-half 
of W est Virginia Conference. Its one hundred and 
forty members are now more than seven hundred and 
fifty ; while the membership w^as then thirty-five thou- 
sand, it is now^ over one hundred and fifty thousand. 

These are encouraging facts. I spent eighteen 
years of my ministry in West Virginia in labors 
and sacrifices many, and received in that time over 
three thousand persons into the Church — "eight 
hundred in one year. In passing, not long since, 
through portions of those fields of labor, I w^as re- 
joiced to see the permanent growth of the Church 
in that country. I saw" good church-edifices where 
once stood the log shool-house, or log-cabin, in 
wdiich, fifty j^ears ago, we held our meetings. iSo 
man can form the least conception of the vast 
growth of Methodism in that country within the 
last fifty years, unless he was there then and now. 
I traveled circuits in those days which were as large 
as nmny of the districts are now. 



Semi-centennial Sermon. 



Fifty years ago there were some six hundred thou- 
sand members of the Church; now we number but 
little short of four million, and in all countries 
about five million five hundred thousand. There 
is no Church in the country which is inore directly 
responsible for the training of American citizens 
than the Methodist. It is emphatically the Church 
of the people, not only because it comprises more 
of the people among its members and adherents, 
but because its simple address, direct and ready 
methods, and spirited worship, adapt it to the 
masses. Something has made this Church, though 
entering the field long after several of the older d^e- 
nominations, grow more rapidly than any other. 
Its success is only paralleled by that of primitive 
Christianity. Its history borders well-nigh upon 
the romantic, so fraught is it with appreciable 
growth and heroic exploits. 

Since I have been in Kentuckj^ I have noticed the 
sad fact that ministerial labor is not as successful 
here as in other States in which I have labored. 
Here is* the main cause for this unhappy state oF 
things: Only sixty or seventy years ago the white 
people here in Kentuck}^ held meetings that, for 
disorder and excitement, surpassed any thing we 
have ever heard or read of among the negroes. 
They jumped, they shouted, they had the jerks, the 
dancing and the laughing exercises, till some would 
swoon away and lose all consciousness for twentj-- 
four hours. Barton Stone, a minister of the gospel, 
left the Presbyterian Church, with several other min- 
isters, and headed a party of these jerkers and dancers 
who styled themselves ''the Christian Church;" but 
such were their exciting and disorderly meetings 
the people generally called them ''New Lights," In 
the course of tw^enty-five or twenty-six years these 
^' ITewLights" sobered down. They gave up the holy 
lance, their jerking and other bodily exercises, and 



Semi-centennial Sebmon. 



37 



to the number of five or six thousand, in Kentucky, 
joined Alexander Campbell's Disciples. They now 
reject all their former exercises and emotions, and 
claim that they have the only true Christian Church 
on earth; that all the rest are mere sects, and not 
in gospel order, speaking the language of Ashdod 
and not of Canaan. Their former extreme begot 
the present one, and they now hoot at the idea of 
experimental religion! 

There is one thing we have cause to fear — that is, 
the loss of our spirituality^ simplicity^ and power with 
God. I have been serving ray God about fifty-four 
years, and have been an itinerant minister fifty 
years. I can now say there is nothing devised for 
the happiness of mankind that so fully meets the 
demands of his whole being as the Christian relig- 
ion. It makes us what God would have us be, and 
the heirs of God. 

In looking over the scenes of my past life, I find 
it has been one of marked and peculiar providences. 
I have looked on the mortal remains of wife and 
eight children cold and still in death. However 
dark the cloud, its borders were always fringed with 
the brightness of the glory beyond. The Lord id 
good, a stronghold in the day of trouble." 



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